Van Gaal tipped to blow Man United’s big top four chance

Dutchman favourite to finish fifth and be sacked

Manchester United may be in pole position to finish in the top four after Manchester City’s draw with Arsenal at the weekend but Louis van Gaal is still favourite to oversee an underwhelming climax to the season.

A win over West Ham on Tuesday would see the Red Devils leapfrog the Citizens into fourth place knowing they would only have to equal the Sky Blues’ final day result to ensure Champions League football.

However, in a series of special markets our traders seem to think the Dutchman will blow his big chance once more with odds of 7/4 suggesting United will finish fifth and relieve LVG of his duties at the end of the season.

And even if he does guide United to fourth place there’s no guarantee it’ll be enough to save his job with odds of 12/5 saying Van Gall can achieve fourth place and still be given his marching orders.

It’s 10/3 United finish fourth but their manager is still shown the Old Trafford exit but that would do little to affect City’s future plans with a fifth-place finish causing pep Guardiola to cancel his move to the Etihad priced up at 25/1.

A Ladbrokes spokesman said: “City’s draw with Arsenal has put the ball well and truly in United’s court.

“However, while we’d have backed the Red Devils heavily in the past the current gaffer doesn’t inspire as much confidence and even with a top 4 finish there’s no guarantee he sticks around.”

United travel to London to take on West Ham in the last ever game at the Boleyn Ground and go into the match as 13/10 favourites.

It’s 21/10 the Hammers sign off at Upton Park with a victory, while a draw can be backed at 23/10.

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After studying for a degree in journalism and gaining his NCTJ, James contributed to a wide range of papers, online publications and broadcasters including the South London Press, Press Association and Sky Sports News before joining the Ladbrokes News team.